Two Poland varsity wrestlers place at league tourney
Neighbors | Submitted.Poland's AJ Shields (left) finished fourth after losing to his Paymatuning Valley opponent at the EOWL tournament.
Tad Duran (top) finished fifth at the EOWL tourney Feb. 4-5 at Salem High School.
Poland varsity wrestler AJ Shields (119 pounds) placed fourth and Tad Duran (112) took fifth at the 2011 Eastern Wrestling League tournament Feb. 4-5 cat Salem High School.
It was the first season the Bulldogs had competed in the league tournament, after wrestling a junior varsity schedule last season.
“The boys really showed they can compete with the best this weekend,” said Poland coach Tony Stellato. “They are starting to believe and make the sacrifices and commitment it takes to be successful in this sport. We are not the same team we were two months ago.
“The overtime victories, along with the matches where we have closed the gaps are huge gains and that is exactly how you can gauge your team to see if they are improving and staying hungry, which is great come postseason time.”
Shields made the awards podium while competing in a weight class that included a projected state champion [Boardman’s John Dillon] and returning state placer [Jackson-Milton’s Vinnie Pizzuto].
“AJ wrestled very well this weekend and is starting to make his push for the postseason,” said Stellato. “I am very pleased with his performance.”
Duran rallied for a takedown in his final match to finish fifth at 112 pounds. Earlier bin the tournament, he lost to eventual champion J.R. Perry from Howland. Duran avenged a pair of past losses to Hubbard’s Thomas George.
Mike Audi (152) had a tough weight class, but was competitive, taking two matches into overtime. He won a tough match against his opponent from West Branch, but fell short in another overtime match against Beaver Local with the opportunity to advance to the placement round.
Jason Velasquez bumped up from 215 to heavyweight for the EOWL tourney. He lost to the eventual third and fourth-place finishers.
“I feel that Jason is more competitive at 215 and feel that this move will truly benefit him come sectionals,” said Stellato.
Max Prizant (103) lost to the eventual fourth and sixth-place wrestlers. Mitch Lidle made the move from 189 to 171 and it paid off with a better performance.
“Mitch’s movement was a lot better,” said Stellato. “He is definitely finding his nitch from moving to a lighter weight class. This will put him in a much better position at sectionals.”
Poland will is competing in the Division II sectional tournament today at West Branch. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to next weekend’s Akron Firestone district.